Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Grammar


An infinitive question...

 

This is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old February 23, 2010, 07:34 PM
bricks bricks is offline
Ruby
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 31
bricks is on a distinguished road
An infinitive question...

Hi, is it possible to use two infinitives in a row in a sentence?

For example:

No te puedo pedir hacer...
(I can't ask you to do...)

or:

Que puedo hacer ayudar?
(What can I do to help?)

Thank you. I have never seen this structure before, so I thought to ask here.

Last edited by bricks; February 23, 2010 at 07:46 PM.
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old February 23, 2010, 08:12 PM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is offline
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,299
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
In both of the instances you wrote, the second infinitive must be preceded by a preposition. And, the preposition is different for each sentence.

The Spanish infinitive does NOT have an automatic 'to' in front of it. Neither does the English infinitive, by the way. You need to learn what prepositions follow what verbs when there is a following infinitive, or when there is a following noun.

¿Qué puedo hacer para ayudar? = What can I do to help?
No te puedo pedir a hacer algo. = I can't ask you to do something.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old February 23, 2010, 08:33 PM
CrOtALiTo's Avatar
CrOtALiTo CrOtALiTo is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Mérida, Yucatán
Posts: 11,686
Native Language: I can understand Spanish and English
CrOtALiTo is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by bricks View Post
Hi, is it possible to use two infinitives in a row in a sentence?

For example:

No te puedo pedir hacer...
(I can't ask you to do...)

or:

Que puedo hacer para ayudar?
(What can I do to help?)

Thank you. I have never seen this structure before, so I thought to ask here.

Corrections above.
__________________
We are building the most important dare for my life and my family feature now we are installing new services in telecoms.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old February 24, 2010, 12:23 AM
irmamar's Avatar
irmamar irmamar is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,071
Native Language: Español
irmamar is on a distinguished road
If the verb is transitive, you can write the second infinitive without prepositions, since this infinitive is the DO: poder hacer, saber pensar, poder decir, etc.

Although, in your example, I'd use the subjunctive present: no te puedo pedir que hagas...

If the verb is intransitive, you must use a preposition: hacer para ayudar, preguntar para ir, ir a comer, etc.

Reply With Quote
Reply

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Gerund or infinitive hola Grammar 24 November 06, 2009 12:21 PM
Al + infinitive usage cmon Grammar 29 May 15, 2009 11:31 AM
Infinitive after a preposition tacuba Grammar 8 April 23, 2009 10:19 AM
Creo + infinitive tacuba Grammar 9 February 08, 2009 07:38 PM
using ¨A¨ before an infinitive bigjohn Grammar 3 January 22, 2007 07:34 AM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:54 AM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X